The chairman of Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko has expressed confidence that the copuntry will stage a flawless edition of the African School Games next year in Abuja, because the nation has ‘successfully hosted major international events in the past.’
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Sports247 reports that Dikko gave the assurance while speaking after a formal agreement was sealed between the NSC and Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), which confirmed Nigeria as next host of the continent’s multi-sports competition for schools.
While speaking after signing the agreement that sets in motion a countdown for the second edition of the African Schools Games tagged ‘Abuja 2027,’ Dikko said it is a major achievement that falls in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of repositioning sports through grassroots programmes.
He noted further that schools are the foundation of sports and disclosed that the NSC is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Education to strengthen grassroots ventures, then assured ANOCA that Nigeria will stage a world-class competition, as a new benchmark for future editions of the Games.
Dikko added that the NSC’s Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative at the last National Sports Festival demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to identifying young talents, while preparations for Abuja 2027 will also align with the Federal Government’s drive to upgrade infrastructure across the country.
“We are very excited to host the rest of Africa and I can assure ANOCA that, with their collaboration, Nigeria will deliver a world-class Games, just as we have successfully hosted major international events in the past,” Dikko reiterated.
